8 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



but as none of the party could communicate 

 with our new friend otherwise than by 

 signs, we waited patiently until the morn- 

 ing to see what he intended to do. The 

 wind blew a gale during the night, and the 

 snow fell heavily. The next day our guide 

 led us to the Pembina River, which comes 

 from the southward, where we found traces 

 of Indians, who appeared to have quitted 

 this station the day before ; we had, there- 

 fore, the benefit of a good track, which our 

 dogs much required, as they were greatly 

 fatigued, having dragged their loads through 

 very deep snow for the last two days. A 

 moose-deer crossed the river just before 

 the party; this animal is plentiful in the 

 vicinity. We encamped in a pleasant well- 

 sheltered place, having travelled fourteen 

 miles. 



A short distance on the following morn- 

 ing brought us to some Indian lodges, 

 which belonged to an old Chipewyan chief, 

 named the Sun, and his family, consisting 

 of five hunters, their wives and children. 

 They were delighted to see us, and when 



